It’s time for August’s Signature Style and Cindy and are chatting about linen! I’m sharing styling ideas and linen pieces that have caught my eye and that will give your closet more options all year long.
I love my linen pieces which are the stalwarts of my closet. It’s only August, and we Californians can wear our linen into October and beyond..I wear my linen t-shirts and jackets all year long.
I’ve written about linen before, and I love it for its sustainability. It uses less water and pesticides than cotton does in the growth process. It’s much better for the planet and it is fast drying. It keeps us cooler not only because it breathes, but because the material lays away from the skin. The best way to care for it is to wash in cool water with a gentle detergent and never use a fabric softener on it which will coat the fibers.
Ways to Style it and Wear it..
I’m loving all the linen pants I’ve seen this year.. I have two pairs – a black jogger pair and these by Rails in a chocolate …they also come in a pretty hibiscus. I like brown with white or a classic black tank similar here and here.
More cute linen beach style pants here and these by Reformation below are lovely and come in this stripe, black, white and other good tones..
In fall you can pair these with jackets or with sweaters and Converse sneakers.
Most most worn linen piece is this Tommy Bahama jacket , which if you read the blog, you’re probably sick of hearing about! I LOVE this jacket and it has the cutest details like fringe and is the most comfortable jacket ever. This year I added a white one to my closet…
I dressed the white one up with some chains and a pair of shorts for a summer evening look..I don’t often wear shorts at night, but it’s been really warm and I am digging the dressed up shorts vibe this year.
What Linen Pieces You Need
Linen pieces that can expand your closet choices are a suit look, a pull-on skirt, a shirt or a comfy pair of pants… All will update your wardrobe and are classics you can wear for years. To me, linen, like silk always looks so good and anything you pair it with, will look more luxe.
Besides the jackets above, I really love the look of a linen blazer!
Rails makes beautiful pieces and their white linen blazer is similar to mine below. A white blazer is so good with shorts now or slacks later..This is another nice option slightly less expensive.
The Monti shorts on right with the jacket are a favorite and I’ve worn them all summer in so many ways…Left, with an older linen blouse I love and with this Rails gauze jacket.
I also have the creme pinstripe version of the white jacket…and the shorts- both pieces gifts to me when I hosted the Rails event… I’m looking forward to wearing the jacket this fall when it cools off with a black turtleneck!
I’ve been wearing the shorts though and last time was with this blouse out to dinner..
Other great pieces in linen..that you can add to your mix..
This Madewell blazer looks beautiful- and is on sale..
I adore a blue stripe button up and this is lovely…
This darling top from Madewell. and a bias cut linen dress that’s so chic and versatile.
This Splendid set in a linen blend with an easy top and the pants that could look great with a jacket or a chunky knit sweater in fall.
A black linen button up is a great piece… I like the idea of wearing a linen shirt open like a jacket with a tank under… Banana republic has the best linen tanks and this is a good one.
This linen shirt dress has a relaxed look and feel that is speaking my language…This would be great with a leather belt and loafers later…
This pull-on bias cut linen skirt at J. Crew is rated very comfy and come in other colors…A great closet classic we could all use. Reformation makes a nearly identical one in more colors here.
J Crew’s Irish linen shirts are beautiful and another nice addition to your closet that will last..
As it is near the end of what is ‘linen’ season, I struggled to find pieces to link to in an array of sizes, but that said, there are so many on sale, and if you have the patience markdowns on many great brands here and here.
On last month’s Signature Style we shared swimwear and you can read that here.
Now please visit Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing. .
Thanks for stopping by!
Kim
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Kim, I ALWAYS enjoy your posts! It is evident that you pour a lot of research and work into each post. In addition to that, they are very creative!!
Hi Peggy! Thank you so much. xx
Kim. Love rails and buy all the time. How is sizing with chocolate linen pant??? Thanks so much.
Hi Julie! I know the Rails pieces are the nicest things in my closet! I bought an XS in the pant! It runs slightly large and I am 5’4 and around 137! It could be hemmed I supposed, but I don’t mind the flowey look. xo
Thank you!!!!
Sure! xo
I am sure you are aware but a lot of the photos you pulled from the Internet aren’t showing up?Maybe it’s my side?No idea.
Linen is MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE AS I LIVE IN LINEN CAFTAN’s IN THE SUMMER TIME.
Yes, a pile is created TO IRON but I actually enjoy that process as well.
As luck has it I have ENOUGH to carry me through along time before the ironing board comes out!
XXX
It may be your side.. Things are loading slowly it sounds like. I haven’t had an issue on my side.. I’ll check though.
I like you do a load of ironing while watching tv and then don’t do it again for a while!! x
Hi Kim
I love that chocolate Rails pant. I think I need it! I have pants similar that are from CP but they quit making them. Those chocolate ones would be fabulous for fall! I love that Tommy Bahama jacket too. Thank you to you for introducing me to it! I have been tempted to add another color too. This post was fabulous!
Cindy I can see you in those chocolate Rails pants! I know the jacket is the most perfect piece! Can’t find another as well made and that fits right in all areas as the TB jacket!
Linen is so nice and chic, especially travels well and on hot days. Thanks for the inspo!
Hi Bita! Thanks so much. Hope you’re staying cool! xo
Great post! I have mentioned my love hate relationship with
linen and those wrinkles! This summer I am wearing it daily
because the heat records of over 110 for a month have
made it unbearable here in Scottsdale Az.🥵I am close
to embracing those wrinkles . I love those chocolate
Rails and that color with the black top.I am going to
check them out, the loose look is very nice. You look
so cute in the shorts but those days are long past for
me, but crops or ankle pants are perfect and can be
just as cute! Great looks!
Hi Charlene! Oh gosh sending you cool thoughts being in Scottsdale! I think everyone knows linen pieces are wrinkled the second you leave the house.. I saw a hack where you wet them a bit and it relaxes the wrinkle… I have also dampened my creased pants and carefully blow-dried on low for a second or two..
I also love the chocolate color! It’s very versatile and you can wear it into fall.
Thank you! xo
Kim, you have an amazing linen wardrobe and look so good in your linen shorts ensembles. I really love those Reformation pants … they’re in my cart. I’ve been admiring your Tommy Bahama linen jacket all year. I love linen for so many reasons and the sustainability factor is just one more. As we’re entering the hottest month of summer linen is the perfect solution to looking cool and collected (even if we’re not). So many great ideas … of course, I want to buy everything! xo
Hi Juliet! I want those Reformation pants too. I see they are slightly longer than the Rails ones. I would need them hemmed. They also come in petite, but not in the stripe, which I love! xo
Hi Kim, You had me at LINEN! I love it and have since I was a teen. I don’t mind ironing it or the subsequent wrinkles it gets. Your shorts are cute but my shorts days are mostly over. However, I got 2 pairs of BR shorts that are almost to the knee and wide enough to be almost a skirt. They were on sale last year and I got them for a bargain……and they’re linen.
I also have the Tommy Bahama jacket in white which is a more refined version of a jean jacket. Good choices from you and Cindy.
Wren you are so the linen girl too! I saw those longer BR shorts and they look chic! Remind me of the ones I wore in the 80’s but better. I love the look of them with a jacket. Aw thanks for your input! xx
The last few years I have accumulated quite a few linen pieces. Most recently a maxi dress from Banana Republic. Last year I bought a couple pairs of linen cargo pants from Banana and they washed really well in cold water. However, a black maxi dress from Calvin Klein did not fare so well, it faded a little. My guess is different quality? Banana has definitely improved in that department.
I usually only wear shorts around the house because my lower legs have a lot of spider veins and now a couple varicose veins. I keep saying I am going to make an appointment at the vein clinic to have sclerotherapy, maybe once we get moved out in a few months I will take care of it. My husband says my legs are fine, but not to me!! (I think he probably doesn’t want me to spend the $$ lol)
Supposed to have cooler weather for the next week…hope you have the same.
Linda
Linda, I am wondering if it’s the black dye? I have had that happen to a linen dress too..Banana has really become the nicest quality! Linen cargos are the best thing ever for travel. I have a pair I love too.
Is the vein therapy painful? I know a few people that have had it. I think you have to be happy and my husband is the same.. he doesn’t care about small things like that either.
Yes weather has been lovely this week thankfully! x
I don’t think it’s painful but I believe there is some bruising afterwards so I would rather do it in the Winter when I can wear clothes to cover it up. My husband had some really bad varicose veins, he had ablation and some sclerotherapy. He has to wear compression stockings a good part of the time because they still bother him. At least I don’t have that!
Kim, you always look amazing! I love all of your linen ensembles!
Linen shorts and linen shirts are my favorite pieces in the summer, particularly white shirts.
I am off to check out a few of these pieces that you suggested. I think with the weather the way it is I might be able to wear them a few more. week.
xo Elizabeth